Prescriptions

Check Your Supplies

Return Your unwanted Medication to your Pharmacy

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

  • using the GP online system via the link at the top of this page
  • using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

Collecting your prescription

You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

  • on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
  • at your GP practice
  • at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Electronic prescription service

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.

What does this mean for you?

You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.

For further information on:

  • Choosing a pharmacy or other dispenser
  • Cancelling or changing your choice of pharmacist or dispenser
  • What can I do if I'm unhappy with the process?

Go to Electronic prescriptions .nhs.uk.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

Medication reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

What To Do With Unused Medicines

What To Do With Old Medicines

 

NHS South Yorkshire launches ‘Medicines Waste’ campaign

 Return your unwanted medicines 

South Yorkshire residents are being encouraged to return any unwanted medicines to a pharmacy.

People are also encouraged to only order the medicines they need, check their medicines bag before they leave their pharmacy and to tell their GP if they no longer want/need a medication.

These messages aim to reduce harm caused to the environment from medicines pollution as well as potential harm to pets and people at home, and to prevent medicines over-ordering and stockpiling.

If unwanted and unneeded medicines are returned whilst still in the pharmacy those medicines can be safely re-used.

Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer, NHS South Yorkshire said:

 “Returning unwanted medicines to a local pharmacy is a simple and effective action that can help to protect nature and ourselves.  

“When medications get flushed down a toilet or put in bins they can get into our soil and waterways and cause harmful pollution.

“If you have unwanted medication you can return it to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

“This includes any products with medication in them, such as creams, liquids, medicine bottles, used patches and inhalers.”  

“We would ask that patients only order the medications that they need.”

Inhalers in particular, are incredibly important to dispose of correctly as they can leak greenhouse gasses long after the medication has been used.

NHS South Yorkshire urges all residents to check their medicines supply before ordering more, and to check their medicines bags before leaving the pharmacy to help protect supply chains and our environment.

For more information visit the NHS South Yorkshire Website: https://southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/south-yorkshire-medicine-waste

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

  • coughs
  • colds
  • sore throats
  • tummy trouble
  • aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

Page last reviewed: 26 September 2025
Page created: 30 July 2024